Charles & Camilla on the tube

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They're not exactly regular tube users, so commuters were rather surprised to see Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall underground this morning. The Royal couple swiped in using their own oyster cards, like the rest of us, but their journey was anything but average, as Rags Martel reports.

Although both of them now qualify for an over-60s Freedom Pass, they were presented with commemorative Oyster cards topped up with £10 credit for the one stop journey from Farringdon to King's Cross.

A brand new train was used, which arrived at the platform empty. But members of the public boarded along with the royal couple - separated only by a group of policemen standing further down the carriage.

Charles and Camilla looked relaxed as they rode on the Metropolitan Line. Credit: Chris Jackson/PA Wire

When the royal couple arrived at King's Cross they were taken to "Platform nine and three quarters", a Harry-Potter themed attraction in the station.

In the books by JK Rowling, the "Hogwarts Express" steam train leaves from a secret platform, which witches and wizards reach by pushing a trolley through a wall.

But Charles and Camilla remained firmly in the land of the "muggles" or non-wizards.

Attempting to board the Hogwarts Express, at the fictional Platform nine and three quarters. Credit: Chris Jackson/PA Wire

The age of steam returned to the London Underground today, to mark the 150th anniversary of the first ever tube journey. Hundreds of rail enthusiasts and families lined bridges and stations between Kensington and Moorgate to catch a glimpse.

Among the lucky passengers was Mayor of London Boris Johnson and our reporter Ria Chatterjee.